The Barrett’s Esophagus Translational Research Network (BETRNet) was established in 2011 through funding from the National Cancer Institute. Our consortium is comprised of investigators from three primary centers: Columbia University Medical Center (New York, NY), the Mayo Clinic (Rochester, MN), and the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania (Philadelphia, PA). Our BETRNet consortium represents a network of a very large Barrett’s esophagus patient population, experienced Barrett's clinical investigators, and bench researchers with extensive experience with stem cells and inflammatory models of GI cancer. The goal of this group is to perform multidisciplinary, multicenter, translational research to study the origins and pathogenesis of Barrett’s esophagus. Our novel preclinical models of BE and esopahgeal adenocarcinoma (EAC) serve as the foundation for testing hypotheses, which are then brought ultimately to the clinical arena in a true translational, “bench-to-bedside” approach through biomarker and chemoprevention studies. It is anticipated that this work will in turn generate a clear understanding of the mechanisms underlying the development of Barrett’s esophagus and esophageal adenocarcinoma. This knowledge will hopefully then be transformed into clinical practice in order to improve patient outcomes and decrease the disease burden of EAC.